We all know "The Colbert Report" is coming to an end, but the final episode now has a date.

The long-running cable news satire starring comedian Stephen Colbert will air December 18 for the final time. Colbert is set to take over "The Late Show" next year on CBS.

Fans of the award-winning "Daily Show" spin-off on Comedy Central have been waiting for the final shoe to drop since CBS announced earlier this year that Colbert would assume hosting duties following David Letterman's retirement.

The funnyman made the announcement during Thursday night's episode of the 'Report" while also pitching his latest book, America Again: Re-becoming the Greatness We Never Weren't.

Colbert originally started the show as a parody of the over-the-top conservative hosts on Fox News.

His sharp wit and intelligent interviews made for nine years of high ratings and multiple Emmys.

Colbert even once ran for President, but only in his home state of South Carolina.

The candidacy landed him on the Sunday morning talk show "Meet The Press" and led to a bizarre interview with legendary host Tim Russert where he never broke character.

Final date set for 'The Colbert Report' as host gets ready to host CBS 'Late Show'

NEW YORK - MAY 3: Stephen Colbert with David Letterman. (Photo by John Paul Filo/CBS via Getty Images)

NEW YORK - APRIL 22: Stephen Colbert, future host of the LATE SHOW, talks to David Letterman when Colbert visits the LATE SHOW with DAVID LETTERMAN, Tuesday, April 22 (11:35 PM-12:37 AM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. (Photo by Jeffrey R. Staab/CBS via Getty Images)

Stephen Colbert, winner of the best writing for a variety series award and the variety series award for 'The Colbert Report' poses backstage at the 65th Primetime Emmy Awards at Nokia Theatre on Sunday Sept. 22, 2013, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Dan Steinberg/Invision/AP)

Comedian Stephen Colbert arrives at the White House in Washington on February 11, 2014 for the state dinner in honor of French President Francois Hollande. Hollande is on a three-day visit to the US. AFP PHOTO/Nicholas KAMM (Photo credit should read NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 31: Steven Colbert attends the Super Bowl XLVIII Party Hosted By Shape And Men's Fitness at Cipriani 42nd Street on January 31, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Mireya Acierto/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 11: Satirist Stephen Colbert speaks onstage at Robert F. Kennedy Center For Justice And Human Rights 2013 Ripple Of Hope Awards Dinner at New York Hilton Midtown on December 11, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images for Robert F. Kennedy Center For Justice And Human Rights)

NEW YORK, NY- APRIL 2: David Letterman outside of The Ed Sullivan Theater while filming a segment for Late Show with David Letterman in New York.Credit:RW/MediaPunch

NEW YORK - JANUARY 02: People stand outside of the Ed Sullivan Theater during a taping of the Late Show with David Letterman on January 2, 2008 in New York City. This will be the first airing of the show since the Writers Guild of America went on strike November 5. Letterman and his production company World Wide Pants worked out an independent deal with his writers. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)

US President Barack Obama and David Letterman speak during a break in the taping of the 'Late Show with David Letterman' at the Ed Sullivan Theater on September 18, 2012 in New York, New York. AFP PHOTO/Brendan SMIALOWSKI (Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/GettyImages)

Lady Gaga and David Letterman are seen during a taping of the "Late Show with David Letterman" on Wednesday, April 2, 2014, in New York. (Photo by Greg Allen/Invision/AP)

NEW YORK - OCTOBER 16: Supporters and detractors of Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) stand outside the Ed Sullivan Theatre during McCain's taping of the 'Late Show with David Letterman' on October 16, 2008 in New York City. McCain visited the late night talk show after recently cancelling an appearance to tend to instead the nation's financial crisis in Washington. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)

In this photo provided by CBS, host David Letterman, right, applauds the U.S. menâs ski slopestyle Olympic medalists on the set of âLate Show with David Letterman,â Thursday, Feb. 20, 2014, in New York. From left are Nick Goepper, Gus Kenworthy and Joss Christensen. (AP Photo/CBS, Jeffrey R. Staab) MANDATORY CREDIT NO ARCHIVE, FOR NORTH AMERICAN USE ONLY

In this photo provided by CBS, Daytona 500 winner Jimmie Johnson, left, talks with host David Letterman during the taping of "Late Show with David Letterman," Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013, in New York. (AP Photo/CBS, Jeffrey R. Staab) MANDATORY CREDIT; NO SALES; NO ARCHIVE; FOR NORTH AMERICAN USE ONLY

David Letterman is seen during a taping of the "Late Show with David Letterman" on Wednesday, April 2, 2014, in New York. (Photo by Greg Allen/Invision/AP)

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 31: Visitors stand in line for the Late Show with David Letterman in Times Square following Hurricane Sandy on October 31, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by John Lamparski/Getty Images)

US President Barack Obama (L) jokes with David Letterman during a taping of the Late Show with David Letterman in New York on September 21, 2009. AFP PHOTO/Jim WATSON (Photo credit should read JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images)

NEW YORK - JANUARY 02: A general view of the marquee of the Ed Sullivan Theater during a taping of the Late Show with David Letterman on January 2, 2008 in New York City. This will be the first airing of the show since the Writers Guild of America went on strike November 5. Letterman and his production company World Wide Pants worked out an independent deal with his writers. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)

David Letterman is seen during a taping of the "Late Show with David Letterman" on Wednesday, April 2, 2014, in New York. (Photo by Greg Allen/Invision/AP)

David Letterman is seen during a taping of the "Late Show with David Letterman" on Wednesday, April 2, 2014, in New York. (Photo by Greg Allen/Invision/AP)

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 31: Visitors stand in line for the Late Show with David Letterman in Times Square following Hurricane Sandy on October 31, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by John Lamparski/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 22: (EXCLUSIVE ACCESS SPECIAL RATES APPLY) Winner, Stephen Colbert, for Outstanding Variety Series for THE COLBERT REPORT during the 65th Primetime Emmy Awards which will be broadcast live across the country 8:00-11:00 PM ET/ 5:00-8:00 PM PT from NOKIA Theater L.A. LIVE in Los Angeles, Calif., on Sunday, Sept. 22 on the CBS Television Network. (Photo by Cliff Lipson/CBS Photo Archive/CBS via Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 23: Stephen Colbert presents the Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series award onstage at the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences 64th Primetime Emmy Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on September 23, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Phil McCarten/Invision for the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences/AP Images)